Her Secret| ✓

Prologue

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In life, we should only strive to have one truly great work of art. At first, I wanted to make people entertained and excited—but I have gained so much fulfilment from it. I know it is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
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Disclaimer: I don't own any of the images or songs mentioned and/or used in this book. Also, thank y'all for the ongoing support. I love you. You know who you are.

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To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven.—Karen Sunde
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Journal Entry

"Diane, come out of there," Emma commanded of her older sister, her little hands pressed against her hips in the perfect likeness of their mother. Emma watched patiently as Diane stepped out of the massive wardrobe in the corner of their bedroom, it exaggerated her petite frame and dwarfed her.

"Mommy doesn't like it when we hide," Emma continued, she took a step closer to Diane and brushed the dirt from her sister's face with the palm of her hand, smudging it free.

"What were you hiding from?" Emma asked as Diane lightly patted Emma's hand from her face, a mirror image of her sister's. The twin link had never failed Emma in helping her find her other half, she proudly tucked a lock of Diane's hair behind an ear.

"Mommy, it was a game, but I hope she forgot," Diane said in an uncertain voice, peeking her head through their bedroom door carefully. The old manor had its quirks, she thought, unlimited places to hide.

Emma looked at her twin with child scepticism, turning her head curiously as they both heard footsteps in the corridor. The twins turned to face their father in unison, their matching white dresses blending into each other as they stood side by side.

"There are my little dolls," He said in the deep, familiar voice that they loved. His bottomless green eyes shone with affection and the girls' filled up the room with their laughter as he smiled goofily.

"Girls, what have I told you about leaving your toys just anywhere—willy-nilly?" He said emphatically, holding up two pairs of jump rope. The girls gave him apologetic looks as he took pains to put them on the toy chest.

"Diana, your Mother is calling for you in the basement," He said in honey-sweet tones, he stood in the doorway and poked his head around the corner and inspected the open wardrobe door. His eyebrows creased for the briefest moment, troubling lines appeared around his mouth, but he smiled even broader than before and turned back to the girls.

"Now, I need one little helper for tonight's dinner party, guests will be arriving soon. Who will it be, my little dolls?" He looked between the two mischievously and held his hand up to signify five minutes before he ducked out of the room. Emma turned back towards Diane and smiled a secret smile. "I will go see what Mommy wants. You go help Daddy with dinner," She said in a final voice, turning for the door.

Diane's skin went cold, sweat creased the back of her neck as she darted a hand out and latched onto Emma, the sick feeling that always accompanied her when she thought of the basement crept up her throat.

One look at Emma's sweet, innocent face, so much like their parents, was all Diane needed to be brave and swing her nerves into action. "No, little sister. You go help Daddy in the kitchen; Mommy wants me to finish our game," She said in an unsteady voice, tears clung to her eyes and welled in her throat, but she pressed the palms of her hands on Emma's shoulders reassuringly.

Emma peered down at the floor, it must have been grossly engaging, Diana thought as she waited for confirmation from her twin. Emma nodded after a moment, hesitantly meeting Diane's gaze.

"Okay," Emma relented, screwing her mouth into a frown, she took Diane's hands in her own as she had done since they could remember. She held the slender fingers between her own and created their own little world, separate from anyone else, as the rain beat against the window panes.

"Do not let her keep you in the doll room, okay? Dinner will be ready soon," Emma continued, holding Diane's trembling hands. Diana fought to control her growing fear of the huge house, the storm and the darkroom. Emma had misheard darkroom when she was a bit younger, but they called it the doll room for the mannequins that their mother kept in there.

Diane sucked in a shaky breath as she nodded and turned towards the dark hall, full of sinking hope.

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A/N: ┼ Haaaaaaappppy Spooky Holidays all and a spooktacular day to you! Just wanted to extend my most heartfelt appreciation to you for reading this chapter! Be free to comment your cares, concerns, questions. Approving and disapproving feedback is welcome ∾ Share if you like it, it helps me out!

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